The death toll from Tuesday’s train accident in Chhattisgarh’s Bilaspur district has risen to 11, with over 30 others injured, after a MEMU passenger train rammed into a stationary goods train near Sakri station on the busy Howrah–Mumbai route.
The collision occurred around 4 p.m. when the Bilaspur–Korba MEMU train failed to stop and hit the goods train from behind. The impact was so severe that one of the coaches mounted a wagon of the goods train, crushing passengers inside.
Survivors described scenes of panic and horror. “Before I could understand what had happened, people started screaming and shouting for help,” said a woman passenger from Akaltara, who suffered a fractured leg and was rescued from the mangled compartment.
Rescue operations continued late into the night as teams from the Railways, NDRF, and local administration worked to cut open the twisted metal and pull out survivors. Injured passengers were rushed to hospitals in Bilaspur and nearby towns.
Railway officials confirmed that the Commissioner of Railway Safety (SE Zone) will lead an inquiry to determine the cause of the accident. Preliminary reports suggest signal failure or driver error could be factors, though investigations are ongoing.
The Chhattisgarh government has announced an ex gratia compensation of ₹10 lakh for the families of the deceased, ₹5 lakh for the seriously injured, and ₹1 lakh for those with minor injuries. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw expressed condolences and said all efforts are being made to ensure prompt medical assistance and relief.
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